Weekly Announcements as of 10.15.2023

Weekly Announcements

Reminder:

If you know of an event or a joy that you would like to see in the Weekly Announcements, please send the information to communications@annapolisfriends.org.

Coming Up:

The list of events below can also be viewed on the AFM website’s homepage or on the AFM Calendar.

Note: Titles link to the information down below for  greater detail and the word “Zoom” in the Coming Up section contains the link to the online meeting. 

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What’s News, Joys and Life Happenings

Friends are invited to share their News, Joys and Life Happenings with each other during Meeting for Worship, through the Weekly Announcements email, and on the AFM-Discuss. If you have joys to share, please contact Ellen M. at communications@annapolisfriends.org and the sharings will be added to our news, joys and life happenings section. It should be noted that inaccuracies may exist in the information given that sound quality or receiving is not always precise. The recent joys and happenings we’ve learned of are:

  • It was a joy to have Tom B. and Mark M. visiting from Dover, NH and bringing greetings from the Dover Friends Meeting. 
  • Tim M. said that it was a great joy to be worshiping at AFM with his family. He was the chaplain at a service this morning with several wonderful scouts, some 8 and 9 years old. Also, Tim brought warm greetings from the Duluth Friends Meeting.
  • Bonnie P. said that her granddaughter, a source of Light and delight, turned 7 years old today.
  •  A first time visitor, Dan M, said that it was a delight to worship with us and to join our circle. He expressed gratitude for the experience.
  • Fran P. said that the meeting this morning was inspirational because Quakers are living their beliefs and doing good in the world.
  • There was joy expressed that Trent M., a candidate for Eagle Scout, was present with us and who’s project will be an improvement to the West River Quaker Burial Ground.
  • Patty R. thought it was a pleasant moment to enjoy when she could see in the background of Fran P.’s video some lovely palm trees.

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New Books!!! 

The Library Committee is very excited to announce that there are new books in the AFM library as of October 1, 2023! Look for them on the rack on the counter. There are two books on racism suggested at our September 12th  meeting

  1. From Here to Equality  – This book is primarily about economic decline for blacks as compared to whites, how it came to be and how it can be eliminated.  The last chapter suggests a path to reparations. Some of the most interesting  parts are the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. DO NOT let the size scare  you.  The notes take up-a large  part of the pages.
  2. Freedom Dreams – Not an answer, but an invitation. Freedom Dreams was a blast of fresh air in the days of 2002 AND its reissue will have more effect when it is needed more.

For more information, contact Nan E. and the Library Committee at library@annapolisfriends.org.

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Welcome Light Wednesday

Starting at 7 pm every Wednesday, the Welcome Light Wednesday group will meet on Zoom with 20 minutes of silence to start followed by spiritual readings and then listening to our spiritual journeys. Time will be given to hold friends in healing Light. In the past, this group was called the Wednesday Meditation Group.

Contact Patty R. at info@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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5th Night Light – Every Thursday evening

From 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm every Thursday, the AFM community engages in a spiritual practice that acknowledges the Light of God within each person and that to be in community is to actively care for one another. During that time, Friends hold people and situations who need additional spiritual support in the Light. Friends will pause wherever they may be, read the list of names, and hold each person or situation in our hearts and in the Light. On Wednesday, the list of names or situations are sent out to the AFM-Announce list.

Friends are invited to share their request for a person or situations to be held in the Light by contacting the Pastoral Care Committee.

Contact Pastoral Care at pastoral-care@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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First Day School

For AFM First Day School (FDS) there will be themes each month based on curriculum and teaching materials developed by Quaker Earthcare Witness (QEW). The October theme will be Water. There will be two teachers for each session, learning and activities.

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up using the online sign-up sheet. Helpers (Secondary teachers) and Primary Teachers are welcome!

First Day School Volunteer Sign-up Sheet

For nursery care, please bring your pre-school children. Advance notice is appreciated for nursery care, but not required. 

For more information, contact Martha L. at children@annapolisfriends.org.

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Communications Committee

The Communications Committee will hold their monthly meeting on October 17 (Tuesday) at 6 pm on Zoom. Please note that the start time for this meeting was changed from 5:30 pm to 6 pm to accommodate commuting challenges.

Contact Ellen M. at communications@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Quaker Market Committee Meeting

The Quaker Market Committee will be meeting via Zoom starting at 7:30 pm on October 17 (Tuesday). Among other activities, the Quaker Market Committee helps Annapolis Friends and the larger community practice being spiritual in our material world, especially through the Market process from preparation to conclusion using the Quaker testimonies (simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship) along the way.

Contact Cairn K. at market@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Pumpkin Patch – Volunteers Needed

On October 18 (Wednesday) from 2 pm to 6 pm, Annapolis Friends will be volunteering, as they have done for many years, to sell pumpkins in support of The Light House, a homeless prevention center. All proceeds raised from the Pumpkin Patch go directly to The Light House. Saint Martin’s Lutheran Church annually holds the Pumpkin Patch on their front lawn at 120 Spa Road, Annapolis, MD 21403. 

Signup is now available, email Marcia O. or Sheila M. with your desired time slots! Sheila and Marcia can be reached at info@annapolisfriends.org.

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The Friendlies (a.k.a., Friendly 8s Group)

On October 20 (Friday) at 6 pm, The Friendlies will be meeting on Zoom. Quakers get together for a variety of reasons and getting to know each other a little better is the purpose of Friendly 8s Groups. Typically, there are 8 people who share a meal, stories and have a relaxed, informal opportunity to socialize. It is great fun and there have been stimulating conversations. The Friendlies are a larger group of more than 10 and we meet via Zoom. If you are interested, we are an open group and invite you to join us.

Contact Ellen M. at info@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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The Adult Religious Education Committee

On October 20 (Friday) at 7:30 pm, the Adult Religious Education (ARE) Committee will be meeting via Zoom. The ARE is a sub-committee of Ministry and Worship and they focus on planning Meetings for Learning (MfL) and other spiritual enrichment events for AFM.

Contact Ann R. at ministry@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Peace Writing Contest Awards

On October 21 (Saturday) at 2:30 pm, the awards event for the Peace Writing Contest for Maryland Middle School Students will take place in person in the MultiPurpose Room.   

This contest was sponsored by Anne Arundel Peace Action, Maryland Peace Action Education Fund, Benjamin Peace Action Foundation, and Annapolis Friends Meeting. This is the 24th year for the contest and there are cash prize awards for 7th and 8th grade students who will write no more than 1,200 words on the themes of peace and social justice. All are welcome and encouraged to honor these students who are providing insights into Quaker testimonies of peace, integrity, community and equality.

For more information, contact Phil C. at social-concerns@annapolisfriends.org 

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Deconstructing Racism

On October 21 (Saturday) at 3 pm, we hope you can join us for centering silence followed by our continued spiritual work as we seek to deconstruct racism in our personal and public lives.

  • 3 pm – 3:30 pm, Deconstructing Racism personal updates
  • 3:30 pm – 5 pm, Reflection on Deconstructing Racism – worship sharing format

Contact Jean C. at info@annapolisfriends.org for the Zoom link and additional information.

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Special Listening Session

On October 22 (Sunday) at 9:15 am via Zoom and in person, there will be a specially called meeting to gather information and listen to one another with regards to fundraising, taxes, and financial responsibilities. Please join us for a Listening Session on Sunday, October 22. This will be a blended meeting with some participants in-person at the meetinghouse and others will join by Zoom. 

We will gather at 9:15 am for centering worship until 9:30 am. 

From 9:30 am – 10:45 am, we will listen to each other’s questions, concerns, and suggestions on matters related to AFM’s finances and fundraising. The questions and concerns that surface at this meeting, along with those raised on the AFM-Discuss email list service and at business meetings, will help us discern our next steps. This will not be a decision-making meeting.

The Listening Session will be a time to:

  • Ask questions about AFM’s financial policies and processes
  • Raise concerns about AFM’s financial policies and processes
  • Note areas where clarification is needed
  • Propose changes to AFM’s financial policies and processes
  • Suggest resources that could help answer questions or provide guidance
  • Propose next steps
  • Listen deeply
  • Assume good intentions

Contact Karen K. at clerk@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Friends Writing Together

On October 22 (Sunday) at 12:30 pm, the Friends Writing Together group will meet. Friends write from prompts for 8-minutes and then share (or not). Comments include encouragement and impressions. Only if a writer asks for critique is that offered. This is fresh new writing and is treated as gently as a delicate flower. Everyone is a writer and has a deep well of experiences to dip into. Come join us for the fun and exhilaration of expression and enjoyable conversations. All are invited. 

Contact Mary B. at info@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Library Committee Meeting

On October 24 (Tuesday) at 9 am, the Library Committee will be meeting in person. 

For more information, contact Martha L. at library@annapolisfriends.org.

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Spiritual Friends Group

The Spiritual Friends Group is being postponed this month until October 26 (Thursday) at 4 pm, the Spiritual Friends Group, under the umbrella of Pastoral Care, will meet via Zoom. The group usually meets online on the 2nd Thursday of each month to nurture our spiritual lives and, if requested, to ask the group to hold us accountable to our individual intentions. Current question: How is your spiritual journey going? Everyone is welcome. Quakers and non-Quakers!

Contact Barb T. at pastoral-care@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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RESCHEDULED: Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival

On October 28 (Saturday) from 10 am to 6:30 pm, Annapolis Friends  are sponsors for the rescheduled Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival and will be hosting a booth. Volunteers are needed to staff the booth. All are invited to come to Susan Campbell Park at Annapolis City Dock to participate and help out. This is the 33rd annual celebration.

Contact Outreach at outreach-team@annapolisfriends.org to volunteer to staff the booth or for more information.

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Worship Sharing on Living Your Truth

On October 29 (Sunday) at 9:15 am, the Outreach Committee will provide this Worship Sharing on Living your Truth-Part Three presented by Fran P. via Zoom and at the Meetinghouse.  Everyone is invited. No need to have participated in parts 1 & 2, each are stand alone sessions.

Contact Outreach at outreach@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Uphold Ukraine Daily Meeting for Worship

  • Daily Meeting for Worship: EVERY DAY, Friends House Moscow supporters in the U.S.A. host a daily international online Meeting for Worship while joining other Friends who are holding in the Light all the people affected by the current crisis in Ukraine. For Eastern Standard Time, the meeting starts at 12:00 pm. Click on this Zoom link, which is the Friends House Moscow Cloud Meeting. Or use Meeting ID: 416 500 5614; Passcode: 182805
  • Sunday MfW: The Quakers in Kyiv meet on Sundays at 1:00 pm EDT in silence. For Zoom information, go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/QuakersKyivUkraine/.  On Zoom: Meeting ID: 852 8396 7313; Passcode: 2022.

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AFM Meetings for Worship

There are two options for Sunday worship with Annapolis Friends Meeting:

8:00 am weekly: This Meeting for Worship is in person (no technology) and, in good weather, is held outdoors, but will be indoors when the weather is not as kind. Masks and social distancing are optional inside the meetinghouse. Also at 8:00 am, Friends can worship in communion with the friends at the Meetinghouse from wherever they are and without technology. This option to gather in spirit only while being physically apart was created to link Friends in worship in the early days of the pandemic, and often Friends are at their own homes.

11:00 am weekly: This Meeting for Worship can be attended in person at the meetinghouse, or remotely on Zoom (Phone: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 650 269 455, Passcode: 241727). Nursery care is available; please email us at children@annapolisfriends.org if you would like to bring your child/children to our nursery. First Day School (a.k.a., Sunday School) is available for school age children in person during the school year (September through May). In the summer (June through August), AFM offers supervision and reading/drawing supplies for school age children.

There is an opportunity to worship on the First Tuesday each month at 7 pm in person that is held on a Friend’s porch in northern Anne Arundel County (Glen Burnie). Please see North County worship on the calendar. 

Contact info@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Care of Meeting 

The AFM meetinghouse is a precious place and the AFM Community cares for the building and property in many ways, including weekly care of the meeting that includes accomplishing certain tasks. There is a Committee Schedule for Care of Meeting indicating when the committee takes a turn to be responsible for cleaning up the meetinghouse and they may ask for help from others, as needed. The Care of Meeting Checklist helps to ensure that everyone knows what needs to be done. For the Month of October, the Peace and Social Concerns (P&SC) Committee has responsibility for the care of the meetinghouse. All are welcome to help out at any time!

  • The Peace & Social Concerns Committee (P&SC) focuses on the principle that as Friends, we are called to live and act on our values.  Our social actions are not grafted onto our spiritual lives, they are the fruit of our spiritual lives. Action for peace and social justice arises from Friends’ faith that there is “that of God” in everyone, regardless of color, sex and origin. We seek a world in harmony with that spirit.

For additional information about Annapolis Friends Meeting go to the homepage or for events click here for the calendar.